Beirut, Lebanon. France’s foreign minister will travel to Israel on Friday in an unscheduled visit after meeting Lebanese officials in Beirut, as part of efforts to reduce regional tensions and secure a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Talks in Israel and Lebanon
France’s foreign ministry said Jean-Noel Barrot would discuss regional security, humanitarian aid issues, and efforts to de-escalate conflicts in the Middle East with Israeli authorities.
Barrot met Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun in Beirut on Thursday. Aoun has expressed willingness to begin direct negotiations with Israel.
Positions on negotiations and fighting
Sources familiar with the situation said Israel has rebuffed an offer of direct talks from Beirut as too little, too late by a government that shares its goal of wanting Iran-backed Hezbollah disarmed but fears acting against it could risk civil war.
Israel has carried out airstrikes in Lebanon since Hezbollah fired on Israel on March 2. Hezbollah has rejected the move toward direct negotiations and has continued fighting.
France’s mediation efforts
France, which has historical ties with Lebanon, has sought to mediate in the conflict alongside the United States. Barrot spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio before traveling to Lebanon.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux told reporters on Thursday that France was calling on Israeli and Lebanese representatives to conduct constructive negotiations toward a lasting political solution and said France was ready, if necessary, to host them.
Proposals and reactions
Two diplomats said France last week presented counter-proposals to U.S. ideas aimed at ending the conflict.
Three diplomats said the United States had been lukewarm to the proposals, but discussions with Washington were continuing. They said Israel has rejected the proposals.
What steps do you think could help advance constructive negotiations toward a lasting political solution?
